Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-05-19

tAS0t y iuA 4SE MActcA <tAt.
1t was four years alter that brighl
summer wo6ng that ended with ths
failure Of the Reliance Bank when
Russell Boyd attached himself to tbs
CORPS of Mapleton suitors and sunned
himself in the swestuess of Carrie
soft blce eyes and gracious smiles. II
was ali the psrfectiDn Of acting. but
the childlike freshness OF Miss Maple.
tons blonde beauty lad not departed
and her manner Was Scat % suit her
style.
Being millionaire, Russell Boyd
never imagined q woman could play
with his heart, and was graciously
resolving to place Miss Mapleton upon
the throne of many wistful damsel's
ambition, as his wife, when Ralph
Wilton came to Conway, where they
were al! passing the July weeks.
He was very cold to Miss Carrie,
but a fast friend of Russell Boyd ,
whom he had known before the elder
Boyd made cool million In army
contracts.
So it befell that, one day, sauntsr-
ing in shady grove, Carrie Mapleton
came suddenly upon the two, seated
upon fallen log, exchanging conf
dences. She could not pass unseen.
so she drew back little, just as Ralph
Wilton said:
Oh, no doubt she viii accept you,
the mercsnary little firt suppose
you never heard how she Tilted Alden?
No you were in Europe at the time.
Frank Alden? I missed him.
Yes; he is not society man, just at
present going in for hard work.
l thought his father left a hundred
thousand.
So he did. The bulk Of it was in
the Reliance Bank, and when that
failed Miss Mapleton cody wrote to
him that in consideration Of changed
propects, and all the rsst of it, she
released him from his engagement.
She I. fUu don t luSgu II Z '-------------
! do! ! was in his room when her
note came. OF course he released
her.
But it seems to me ! heard she had
money in that bank.
Nonsense She has never spent so
freely as she does now. Poor Frank
was awfullY. cut up about it. But he
gathered up what was left Of his
patrimony and joined me in some
Western speculations that will even
tually turn out well. In the mean
time, he has opened retail dry goods
store at N.
Didn't hurt him, then?
Didn't it Hardened and soured
him, set him to railing against all
womankind. Shall we walk on?
Carrie crouched low behind the
trunk Of great tree as they passed
her. But when the firm tread died
away, she rose and hurried home
She would tell her secret. she re-
solved to no one, but Mrs. Maple,on
was surprised at the sudden desire for
quiet in her daughter.
l am homesick, mamma, she urged
We will have no visitors at Walnut
Hill for a month. Let us 60 home
and pet each other.
And Russell Boyd, Carrie?
Oh, he will forget me in twenty
four hours.
But when fairly settled in her old
home, Carrie discovered hundred
deficiencies in her wardrobe that must
be supplied before the summer guests
arrived.
l thought you did all your shopping
while you were in New York, her
mother said.
But l want lot Of little things.
You shall not be bored with them,
mamma. will drive over to N
by myself.
She had found out where the new
store of Francis Alden was situated,
and drove directly to the door. Her
face was very pale as she entered the
store, asking the clerk for Mr.. Alden.
She was informed that he was in
the counting-room, and she found him
there alone.
Very gravely. but with perfect
courtesy, he greeted her, his face
shade paler at the sight Of her.
l have come, she said steadily but
with dOwncast eyes, to explain a mis-
take made four years ago.
His heart gave one.iquick. suffoc4t-
ing throb. but he waited for her to
speak again.
When the Reliance Bank failed. she
continued, | lost fifty thousand dol
lars. a legacy from nv grandfather